Materials under development at MIT could lead to coatings that repel both water and oil. A group of MIT researchers have created an improved set of design rules for making any surface impervious to any liquid, be it water or gasoline. Such materials could eventually have promise as fingerprint-repelling coatings, fuel filters, self-washing car paints, and stain-resistant clothing.

Right now, to make flat omniphobic surfaces, the researchers need to make them on a silicon wafer using lithography. However, the team is working on designs for spraying or dip-coating flat surfaces.